10 Winter Activities to look out for!

With the weather getting colder and outdoor activities coming to an end, here are some outdoor and indoor activities for you and your loved ones to experience as the holiday season only continues. From perfect date locations to fun family leisure activities. These events could become a memory you do not want to miss out on!

Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting 

(Michigan & Washington 25 N Michigan Avenue)

Chicago’s “official” Christmas tree in Millennium Park will shine brightly near the intersection of Michigan Ave. and Washington St. from November 18 through January 9. This annual event initiates the winter festivities, the pre-show starts at 5 pm, and the actual lighting starts at 6 pm, followed by fireworks. The ceremony takes place on the Main stage on Grainger Plaza near Cloud Gate (“The Bean”). The tree Lighting Ceremony initiates on Friday, November 18, with entrances to the Park on Monroe Street (through South Promenade; recommended entrance); as well as Madison St. At Michigan and Randolph St. Recommended for family and friends to spend time together and embrace their holiday spirit.

The event schedule includes:

• 5 pm – Pre-Show: DJ Mwelwa and LiV Warfield and Theodis Rodgers Jr.
• 5:45 pm – Tree Lighting Ceremony featuring Son Monarcas, Broadway In Chicago: Wicked’s Lissa deGuzman “Elphaba” and Jennafer Newberry “Glinda” singing “For Good”, Jumaane Taylor and Chicago Human Rhythm
• Project’s Stone Soup Rhythms; and special guests Dreezy Claus and Sister Claus.
• 6:25 pm – Fireworks
• 6:30-7 pm – Adia – Electric Violinist and DJ Mwelwa

Wintrust The Maginicant Mile Light festival

(November 18th -20th)

The action-packed day gets underway at 11:00 a.m. starting at Lights Festival Lane (401 North Michigan Avenue), a festive gathering place with family-friendly events and booths, including Wintrust-provided photos with Santa. The weekend’s free activities start on Friday, November 18 with a Lights Festival preview night that includes a tree-lighting ceremony at 4 p.m. in The Wrigley Building Centennial Plaza (410 N Michigan Ave. ). Along with festive music to get you in the holiday spirit, the tree-lighting parade steps off at Oak Street and North Michigan Avenue on Saturday, November 19 at 5:30 p.m. The parade heads south across the Chicago River to Wacker Drive. The parade hosts fabulous floats, giant helium balloons, exciting marching bands, celebrities, musical performances, Santa Claus, and more beginning at 5:30 p.m., starting with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse illuminating more than 200 trees along The Magnificent Mile. Welcoming event for little ones and families.

Ice skating at Millennium Park

(Millennium Park) (Eligible to bring your own skates, or pay for rentals.)

Skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park returns for its 20th anniversary season, open daily from November 19 through March 6 if the weather permits. Admission is free, but online reservation tickets will be required. Snacks and hot drinks will be available from Momentum Coffee. Additionally, DCASE will present free skating lessons (reservations required) from 8–9 am on most Saturdays and Sundays from November 20 through March 6, 2022, teaching beginner and intermediate ice skating and hockey skills.

Ice Skating at Maggie Daley

(337 E Randolph St, Chicago) (Eligible to bring your own skates, or pay for rentals.)

The Maggie Daley Ice Rink will open on Friday, November 18, 2022, and run through to March 2023. The ice skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park is without a doubt one of Chicago’s best winter-time activities. The quarter-mile rink curves up and down around a 40-foot climbing wall with the city’s iconic skyline standing beautifully in the backdrop. Integrated into the heart of downtown Chicago, Maggie Daley Park’s ice ribbon offers skaters a track twice the length of your average rink and a number of hot chocolate stands to warm up before and after a good skating session. Opening every November, crowds flood to enjoy the treasured winter activity. This year once again reservations are advised as there will be a limited session capacity to try and limit lines, waiting, and crowds. If you’re a tried and tested skater owning your own pair of skates you can skate for free at all time slots Monday through Thursday and during the 11 am sessions on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. All other slots Friday through Sunday will cost just $5. Renting a pair of skates to take to the ice will cost $16 Monday through Thursday and $20 Friday through Sunday when booked online. Otherwise, it costs $18 for walkups Monday through Thursday and $22 for walkups Friday through Sunday.

Lincoln Park Zoo lights 

(5 dollar admission)

Celebrate the holidays with ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Invesco QQQ. This festive, one-of-a-kind holiday experience offers a merry, family-oriented tradition in the heart of the city. Your visit helps keep Lincoln Park Zoo free and supports our animal care, community, and conservation work. The select dates include November 19th through January 1st. Monday’s are free for anyone and general admission is 5 dollars per person.

Winterland at Gallagher Way

(Nov 18 @ Wrigley field)

There are no tickets necessary to enter the holiday fun at Gallagher Way events, including Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville, Santa’s Workshop, and more. On-site shopping will be available for Christkindlmarket goods, concessions, carousel rides, and professional pictures. Tickets are required to enter Winterland’s Wrigley Field section. Tickets for early entry and attractions are now available for purchase. While supplies last, visitors can also purchase attraction bundles in advance online, which can be redeemed for all rides and games, including the Gallagher Ice Rink, Wintertube, and Infield Express. Tickets for attractions and admission will also be sold on-site.

Rosemont Sparkle light festival

This holiday season, Rosemont’s Impact Field (9850 Balmoral Ave.) will shine a little brighter with the debut of Sparkle Light Festival.

Scheduled to open Friday, Nov. 18, visitors can enjoy a breathtaking immersive display of millions of holiday lights amongst outdoor holiday activities including train rides, winter tubing, and themed mazes. Tickets are now available at www.sparklerosemont.com.

While visiting Sparkle Light Festival, guests are invited to explore five illuminated villages: the Frozen Forest, Snowflake Circle, Winter Wonderland, the North Pole, and Deck the Walls, an all-ages maze of lights. Families can also visit “Rudolph’s Kids Zone” and enjoy a children’s maze, see-saws, and other interactive activities. Additional attractions include winter tubing on the “Alpine Slide” and free train rides on the “Holly Trolly.” A special menu of festive food and beverage options will also be available. Sparkle Light Festival will be open through January 1, 2023. General admission tickets will be available for $25 for adults and $20 for children ages two through 12, Premium ticket packages and add-on experiences are also available but prices do vary.

Christkindmarket Chicago 

(50 W Washington  St, Chicago) (open Nov 18 until December 24)

The German Christmas Market provides a safe outdoor experience in Chicago for the whole family that is always admission-free. The smell of roasted nuts, fresh pretzels, bratwurst, and hot spiced wine, the sound of festive music, and the glimmer of sparkling Christmas ornaments, all in a cozy atmosphere – a visit to the market takes all your senses on a journey! Visitors can explore vendor products from around the world, participate in special events, and enjoy a unique shopping experience.

 Ride the CTA Holiday Train

This year, Santa and the CTA are excited to welcome back riders aboard both the Allstate CTA Holiday Train and the popular Allstate CTA Holiday Bus.  Offering more rides this year, the train pulls into each station, and Santa waves to riders from his sleigh on an open-air flatcar carrying his reindeer and decorated holiday trees. Each car of the train is wrapped with holiday and seasonal images.

Thousands of twinkling lights outline the shape of the train and windows, with even more lights running across the tops of the cars. The full schedule for CTA holiday trains and buses hasn’t been announced yet, but continue to check the CTA website for the latest on when Santa will be on board between Black Friday and Christmas Eve Eve (December 23). Santa will ride around the city on an open-air train flat car while chuckling “Ho, ho, ho,” out of the roof hatch of CTA buses to deliver baskets to local food pantries.

Lightscape Chicago

(Chicago Botanic Garden)

The acclaimed holiday event returns, with a new path and new light-filled installations created just for the Chicago Botanic Garden. Explore the whimsy of nature in winter through music, light, fire, and color. Featured artistic works will include favorites such as the luminous Winter Cathedral and a reimagined fire garden. Celebrate outside with friends and family at Lightscape, the brightest spot for holiday cheer. Ticket pricing and availability do vary, the shows start from the earliest time 4:30 until 11 pm.